How AR is streamlining design processes
Replace research trips with AR live streaming
Designers who conduct market research on multiple products or architects who need to survey a construction site can skip the travel entirely with AR. They can connect with the on-site crew via AR live streaming and get a visual walkthrough of the product or site. AR walkthroughs help users cover multiple locations in a day without leaving their desk, reducing travel time and saving significant money.
Get visual feedback during ideation
With AR collaboration, designers can engage stakeholders and team members in a shared immersive environment and show sketches, diagrams, blueprints, or 3D models in real time. Participants can provide feedback using AR annotations, which remain in position even if the user moves the camera. They can also attach comments to each annotation and discuss alternate concepts through chat and VoIP.
Evaluate prototypes on the go
Prototypes are essential to verify the feasibility of a design and prevent costly mistakes in production by fixing them in the prototype stage. Engineers can collaborate with remote teams for showing the prototype, identifying areas of improvement, and documenting the changes needed in the next iteration.
Oversee testing procedures remotely
Testing environments can be rigorous; prototypes are put through a series of simulated crashes, high speed movements, or other hazardous events to determine the strength and durability of that particular model. With AR, engineers can get live visuals of the test, give instructions during the procedure, and ensure that it meets industry standards of safety and performance.
Train and onboard designers with ease
Organizations can use AR to provide remote training using digital work instructions, where users can access predefined workflows and work through them step by step in AR. It captures the status of each step, stores the evidence if provided, and when the user completes a work instruction, it shows whether it was successfully executed or if certain steps had been missed. This helps organizations track each user's progress in training and gain insights on where they need to improve.
Here's how Zoho Lens' augmented reality works in design
Now that we’ve explained how AR has impacted the warehousing industry, we want to explain how Zoho Lens specifically works in busy warehouses.
Connect with your crew by starting an AR remote assistance session in Zoho Lens and sharing the session link via email, SMS, or other messenger apps.
Once a team member joins the session and agrees to share their camera stream, you can see their surroundings on your device.
During a session, participants can interact with each other using VoIP or chat and use AR tools to annotate on the live camera stream.
Key features in augmented reality for design processes
Frequently asked questions
Augmented reality in design refers to how augmented reality is used by designers, architects, and engineers to visualize the design in their environment, interact with it using spatial tools, and collaborate with different team members in the same shared space.
Design reviews involve pointing out issues, highlighting areas of concern, adding feedback, and brainstorming ideas for improvement. In all these processes, AR helps architects and engineers provide contextual information and remain on the same page. When they add annotations or highlight issues with the draw tool, they stick to that point or particular object, saving time in detailing the issue.
Yes, Zoho Lens comes with AR measurement, an in-session tool that allows designers to measure objects remotely. Additionally, they can take a closer look at design issues using the Freeze camera and Magnify tools, and capture them with the help of snapshots, session recordings, and session notes. These records can be accessed from the organization portal at any time.
Depending on the software and the budget, AR can be used by both small design teams and large enterprises. For example, Zoho Lens is scalable as it offers technician licenses under three plans: Free, Standard, and Professional. Small design teams can opt for any plan with a few technician licenses, just enough for their team. On the other hand, large enterprises can purchase as many licenses as required under the desired plan, or get a custom quote for their unique requirements.
You can start using AR for design with a 15-day free trial of Zoho Lens, where you will get access to premium features. Your team can start having design review sessions right away and explore all the tools in the session. You can request a trial extension if you need more time for evaluation. Once the trial is over, you can purchase the required licenses under one of the three plans and continue using Zoho Lens.
Install remote desktop software like Zoho Assist on both computers, ensure they're connected to the same network, and initiate a remote session. The software handles connection routing automatically without complex network configuration.